A Very Happy Thanksgiving

... from our family to yours!

Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us. ~ From The Catholic Prayer Book

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35 weeks and 6 days...

... and very thankful for reassuring ultrasounds!

Yesterday afternoon I had a regular scheduled appointment for my weekly OB check-up. At the time the appointment was scheduled, I tried to change the date, knowing all too well just how hard it is for me to go to the doctors on the 24th-25th of November, but it had been the only available time.

The beginning of the appointment went well. I spoke with my midwife about this cold I've been trying to get over, and she prescribed me some medicine to help reduce congestion. I got the Group-B Strep Test behind me (still waiting on the results). I measured the same as I did 2 weeks ago due to the baby having "dropped" some more and, by the looks of things, I won't be making it until Christmas. Apparently all these contractions I've been having are making changes! (Thankfully a week from Friday I will be considered "full term!")

However, when my midwife went to listen to the baby's heart it didn't sound quite right. We had noticed a little irregularity about a month ago, which quickly corrected itself at the time, but this time it was very obvious. She called it an arrhythmia (which means irregular heartbeat) and wanted me to go to (my least favorite) hospital to be monitored for awhile. I couldn't believe I was headed back there... what timing!

When I first arrived the nurse couldn't hear what my midwife had heard, but the baby had been sleeping and as soon as she woke up it was once again very noticeable. After a few hours they decided to order an ultrasound and were pleased with what they saw.

They said most of the time these things correct themselves as soon as the baby is born, or soon after. Nevertheless, what an emotional night it was! Please continue to remember us in your prayers. I am more anxious than ever to have her safely delivered and to hold her in my arms!

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Highlights from "L" Week

Learning Along the Alphabet Path

~ Letter Formation ~

In addition to their Modelling Wax letter L's and Lollypops, the girls also worked on making the letter L using Handwriting Without Tears Hands-On Materials and Kimberlee's Grey Block Paper.

~ Lily-of-the-Valley Fairy Coloring Pages ~

I can't seem to find some of the pictures for "L" week since I've waited so long to post... I'll upload them as soon as I locate them. ;)

From this Coloring Book
(While looking at the Flower Fairies Alphabet book and listening to the CD!)

~ Picture Book Science :: L is for Ladybugs ~

The Very Lazy Ladybug
The Grouchy Ladybug
Are You a Ladybug? (Backyard Books)
A Ladybug's Life

And of course, we had to make a Lap book for L week, right?!?

Since I recently received a Ladybugs Project Pack to review, it is the one we used.
I'll post pictures soon!

~ Picture Study :: L is for Light ~

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Grant Wood

By Rascal
Using Museum ABC, Museum ABC Nesting Blocks,
and one of the images printed onto cardstock.

~ L is for St. Lucy ~

Our Painted Saint Lucy,
for with An Alphabet of Catholic Saints

The girls colored the St. Lucy picture from Our Saints Alphabet on CD (50% off for Home Schoolers), worked on copywork from An Alphabet of Catholic Saints (you can print the one I made here), and also colored Charlotte's beautiful coloring pages of St. Lucy of Syracuse. We'll be saving the St. Lucia with Starboy to color next month!

I also ordered Lucia, Saint of Light to add to our celebration for the Feast of St. Lucy which is just around the corner on December 13th. It looks wonderful!

The girls also LOVED coloring, cutting out, and then playing with Saint Lucia Paper Dolls!

We printed out this darling set too!

We also read A Life of Our Lord for Children as a family, since it is also one of our world history read-alouds. What a great book!!

~ Crafts ~

We made a few different crafts this week:

Lanterns for Martinmas

(I also loved these Leaf Votives, but it was raining at the time and seemed like too much work to collect the leaves... Perhaps next fall!)

Santa Lucia Crowns

With the feast of St. Lucy coming up on December 13th, I thought this would be a good opportunity for the girls to make their crowns for this year. They are still not quite finished, but will be soon!

Our Santa Lucia Crown

If you are lucky enough to have a Cricut (I don't, but a friend of mine does!) you can use it to cut out the holley leaves and berries! (That is what we did for last December's Little Flowers Meeting.)

Painting Leaves
(For this year's Thankful Tree, which may end up just being scattered leaves this year! )

~ Serendipi-Tea time ~

Leaves, Ladybugs, and Lemonade! deLicious!!!

Leaf Shaped Cakes and Cookies

I picked up this pan (on clearance at a local store) and made Almond Leaf Mini Cakes, as well as a box of Maple Syrup Cream Cookies from Costco. Oh they are SO yummy! We also read the book Why Do Leaves Change Color?.

Ladybug Rice Cakes

Directions: Spread strawberry jelly on rice cakes to make the ladybug's body. Place raisins on top for the spots.

Ladybug Apples

Directions: Cut a red apple in half to make the ladybug's body. Place pretzel sticks underneath for legs. Using peanut butter, attach marshmallow (for head) and raisins or chocolate chips for spots. Insert two more pretzel sticks into marshmallow for antennas. (We totally forgot this last step this time -- they were in too big of a hurry to eat the ladybugs! lol!)

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A Shower of Roses for Our Baby!

~ On the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~

~ Delicious Food ~

~ Tea and Ciders ~

~ A Yummy Carrot Cake ~

~ Fun Games and Raffles ~

I now have quite the supply of diapers!!! Thank you all so much!

~ Friends and Family ~

~ So Many Gifts for the Baby ~

~ A Special Surprise ~

Marci pieced together 48 rose themed squares, from friends and family, both locally and online, into this beautiful quilt for our baby! What a treasure this will be for her!!!!

I was so touched to see all the thought and love that went into this gift, including lovely squares from women I hardly know. Thank you all so much!!

*It may take me awhile, but hopefully I can take close ups of each square to share with you all, so you can see it up close. The photo hardly does it justice!

~ Tea and Honey Stick Favors ~

Thank you so very much Marci, and to all of you that contributed to making this such a special shower for our baby, our little Christmas Rose!

May God reward you all for your kindness and generosity!!

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My Daybook ~ November 23rd

Outside my window... it is very cold but also so beautifully sunny! I sure wish I felt up to going outside...

I am thinking... about how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends, both in real life and online!

I am thankful for... kind, thoughtful, and way too generous friends, including Marci, who gave me the most lovely baby shower this past Saturday. I can't wait to upload some pictures to share with you all!

I am wearing... a big warm fuzzy sweater and thick socks. I came down with an awful cold late Saturday night and, even after spending most of yesterday in bed, I am still feeling really sick...

I am remembering... my post from November 23rd of last year, the day before I miscarried our little Gabriel on the birthday of my other little saint. It is hard to believe it has been a year.

I am going... to work on a grocery list for hubby to pick up at the store tonight. I still haven't gone shopping since my fridge broke down, a week ago... If it wasn't for Thanksgiving in a few days, I'd be tempted to see just how long I can stretch what is in our cupboards! ;)

I am reading... not much at the moment, though I am hoping to have a chance to catch up on my emails and the 500+ posts in Google Reader soon!

I am hoping... that my ultrasound (and intuition) was right. Wouldn't I be in shock if this baby turned out to be a boy!!!

On my mind... I am really trying to focus on creating a grocery list... It's hard when you need to make it for someone else!

From the learning rooms... This will be a short week, so I was hoping that we would get a lot accomplished today and tomorrow. So far it isn't happening...

Living the Liturgical Year at Home... This week we will celebrate the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria on Wednesday. Each year we make a Heart Shaped Cake and this year I will also include a Wheel Shaped Pasta Dish with dinner.

Noticing that... it is really really hard to keep my children on track with their school work when I am not feeling well.

Pondering these words... It's a BOY!!! Head on over and tell Erica congratulations!

From the kitchen... lots of herbal tea and fluids for me. Leftover Hearty Beef Stew and Rolls for everyone else. I was so thankful this weekend for those freezer meals I made for "after" the baby was born! ;)

Around the house... signs that we will be welcoming a baby soon. Where on earth am I going to put everything?!

One of my favorite things... Do I have to pick just one!?!? I wish I could share photos of all the lovely gifts I've been receiving for Rose! I'm sure I'll be posting some soon.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• Get better!
• Start writing Thank You cards
• Work on creating an address database for our Christmas Cards/Birth Announcements (Can you believe I've been hand addressing about 150 cards every year?! It will be nice to have it all in the computer for once, if I can find the time to actually input them all.)
• Weekly OB Check-Up
• Celebrate the Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria
• Celebrate Thanksgiving!
• Compile a post of all the recipes for December over at Catholic Cuisine
• Yikes! I have a lot to do this week...

A Picture thought I am sharing:

The beautiful quilt Marci made for our little "Rose."
Thank you to ALL of you that contributed to this surprise project!
I absolutely LOVE it!!!!!

To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman's Daybook!

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Making a list...

I've been making Christmas lists for awhile now, ever since I found out this baby was due on Christmas. Most of them have just been in a notebook on my nightstand, so I haven't blogged much about them. I was asked by a few of you to share my lists this year, and perhaps if I actually blog about it, it will help me "check them twice" and finish up any details I am more than likely forgetting!

Even though I keep telling myself I am "almost ready" for Advent and Christmas, I still feel completely unprepared! I guess it is just because I really have no idea when this little one will arrive... Our other children have been born anywhere from 3 weeks early (Chiquita) to 3 days early (Snuggles), which (if that is any indication) would put her arrival at anytime in December...

Anyhow, one of the lists I've been working on, was gifts for St. Nicholas Day. In our home, we have a family tradition of giving our children new slippers, gold coins, and a new Christmas Picture Book (to add to our collection) from St. Nicholas on December 6th.

Here's a peek at the picture books I purchased for this year:

For the Family: St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas

"This beautiful, fully-illustrated coffee table book provides a closer look at Christmas and the St. Nicholas of history and legend. Full of historical information and rare illustrations from Christian traditions around the world, this book will entertain, inform, and inspire readers as it teaches the true meaning of Christmas giving."

*If you check out the used/like new copies available on Amazon, it is MUCH more affordable!


For Captain: Christmas at Stony Creek

"The pond at Stony Creek is perfect for ice skating, and a blanket of snow is on the ground. It's almost Christmas. Pipsqueak wishes she could spend the days at the pond, then curl up in front of a glowing fire with her family. But Papa has gone away to search for food. He promised to be home soon, so by Christmas Eve, Pip is worried. What will they eat for Christmas dinner? How can they celebrate without Papa? Pip knows she must do something. There are mountains of food in the huge house on the hill. The one filled with cats and traps. The most dangerous place in Stony Creek. Mama has forbidden everyone from even mentioning the house. Pip's not sure she has the courage to go there, but she has to try. She has to do it for Mama, Kit, Will, Nibs, Nan, and baby Finny. For Christmas. And for Papa. Braveness starts with a single step."

For Rascal: An Orange for Frankie

We first discovered this book from the Christmas Mosaic book list and it has become a favorite. This year we are finally adding it to our own collection!

For Twinkle Toes: The Princess and the Kiss: The Three Gifts of Christmas

"In The Princess and the Kiss: The Three Gifts of Christmas, Christmas has come again to the kingdom, but the king and queen (the original princess in The Princess & the Kiss) have a serious problem. Their precious daughter is becoming spoiled. No longer does she appreciate her gifts as she should nor does she remember the true meaning of Christmas. Her troubled parents come up with a plan to cure the princess of her selfishness. This Christmas will be different-she will receive only three gifts, each one as precious as the princess is to her parents. What will the princess do with the gifts she receives? Will she at last discover the true meaning of Christmas? Children and parents alike will treasure this timeless story that reveals the biblical truth-the best gifts come from the heart."

For Chiquita: Angela and the Baby Jesus

"Frank McCourt's first Christmas book is by turns tender and heartwarming, and wholly unforgettable. Angela is six years old and worries for the Baby Jesus on the altar of St. Joseph's Church near School House Lane in Limerick, Ireland, where she lives. December nights are damp and cold, and the church is dark. The Baby Jesus' mother doesn't even have a blanket to cover him. The Baby is sure to need Angela's help, even if she is not allowed to step near the altar, especially by herself. Filled with the character and incident that have made Pulitzer Prize recipient Frank McCourt internationally renowned and beloved, Angela and the Baby Jesus is a timeless story of family--and all of its joy, tradition, love, and incongruity--and a book for the generations to cherish."

For Snuggles: The Friendly Beasts

Snuggles loves all books about animals, and we all love Tomie dePaola! We usually check this one out from the library, but it is another one I'm very happy to add to our own collection.

For Rose: All for the Newborn Baby

"Mary sings a lullaby to the newborn baby Jesus as He lies in the manger, and in her song she describes how the world around Him is rejoicing at His birth."

(I also just ordered a used copy of this book, which looks so sweet!)

I've already purchased this years slippers for everyone, including a darling little pair for the baby! I was so excited when I saw them at the store last week shortly after receiving a darling little outfit, from a very thoughtful friend, which I think I'll be taking to the hospital for our little rose to wear home. The slippers look like they were MADE to match and there was only one pair and they were size Newborn-6 weeks! I was SO excited!!

I have always wanted to order St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins for his feast day, but every year just end up sticking with the little bags from the local store. We usually repackage them though and attach a little note from St. Nicholas.

Breakfast, after Mass, will include a Candy Cane Coffee Cake and St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa. (We always make this to give away to friends as well!) Oh, and since it was such a hit with my children, I'll probably make St. Nicholas Pizza once again for dinner. (Very easy and cute!)

This year, I also purchased a Playmobil Nativity Set as well as a Wood Nativity Block Set (Catholic Child had them on clearance last month, though they have since sold out...). I think I will give the children one of them on the first Sunday of Advent, and save the other for one of the O Antiphons. I just haven't decided which to give when... I always love having nativity sets that the children can play with in addition to our family nativity.

Ok.. that's all for now. I'll try and post a bit more about our plans later!

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35 Weeks...

... and so thankful to have made it this far without complications!

We are all getting very excited to meet our newest little girl...

It won't be too much longer!

Photo Credit: Captain

Oh, and inspired by Josette to wear something green for a change,

even if it isn't in my "color palette."

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Holy Heroes Advent Adventure

Have you signed up yet for this year's Advent Adventure at Holy Heroes?

It is offered for free and nearly every day, 22 times during Advent, they will send you an email with a link to that day's activities including: Short videos and audio selections, coloring pages, word searches, crossword puzzles and more!

This year it is going to be based on the Jesse Tree, one of our favorite Advent traditions!

OH! And after signing up, you'll even recieve a coupon code (good through Epiphany) for 20% savings on nearly all of the products offered on their site!

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Small Successes :: November 19, 2009

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

~ 1 ~

I already mentioned it in this week's daybook, but I am so pleased that I finally stain treated (thanks for the tip on Bio Kleen!), washed, and put away all the 0-3 month baby girl clothing! Now I am starting to feel a little more prepared for our little one to arrive.

~ 2 ~

Our refrigerator/freezer stopped working Monday. It isn't that old! At least I didn't think it was... I was thinking it had to be around 3 years old, hubby thought it hadn't even been that long. Turns out we bought it in January of 2004, nearly 6 years ago... Wow!

Anyhow, it forced gave me the perfect opportunity to deep clean it... After two long afternoons of sorting through thawed food, cooking way too much (including a delicious blackberry-raspberry cobbler using this recipe), throwing out what couldn't be salvaged, and then scrubbing for hours after the repair man was able to fix the problem, it almost looks new again! Now, if only I had the energy to go grocery shopping...

~ 3 ~

I assembled one of Twinkle Toes Christmas gifts all by myself! (Usually I ask hubby to do these sorts of things, but he has been working really long days...) Oh, it is SO cute!!!

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Timeline Entries

by Rascal (age 7)

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